Barbecue grill



Dec. 11, 3951 HAGOPlAN 2,577,963

, BARBECUE GRILL Filed Oct. 12, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IN V EN TOR.

MG A.HAGOPH\N WM Dec. 11, 1953 H. A. HAGOPIAN 2,577,963

BARBECUE GRILL INVENTOR. HMS A.HAGOPIAN BY MM M M ATToRNEYs Patented Dec. 11, 1951 "UNI TED STATES F B RBE Haig Aaljagopian, Fresn0,;Galif. A can ac a 1 Serial NQ- fi l- '1 acrea (oi-125F125 This invention relates to grills and more particularly to barbecue grills for outdoorluse.

In conventional barbecue grills, the capacity is g n al y o ven entl "lim ted gnve r tional barbecue gr l emp oy n r ast n shits are usually difiicult to adjust so as to regulate the source of heat relative to 13 195911 or spits to obtain even roasting w or barbecuing of "the meat thereon. In the conventional barbecue grill, itf als usu (dif c l t em t the ashes and coals which are generally contained in astationary device usable only at ,a'iixe'd' location.

one obj ct of the inve ion is to pr v de an improved barbecuegrill that is readily portable;

Another object is to provi de means' for mounting and elevationallyjcontrolling af rebox relative to rotatably mounted spitsf Another object of thepresent invention is to provide a barbecue grillihaving a ijrebox' ho usg ing with a .door opening in one en thereof which is automatically opened when the fire box i l wer way qmfl s it 'thl e n: venie'ntremoval or replacement of the firebox erethrou h- Othe Qbie tsand dv t ge 12 h pr sent invention will'become apparent in the follcwi '9 description, taken in connection ,with the aciccmpanying drawings "in which:

Fig., 1 ,is .a top plan view ofa barbecue grill made i accordan w th the rint les .o ith present invention.

Fi .2 i a s d e evati ne Vie Q th "b. 41- ,becue grill.

Fig. '3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of the b'arbe'cue grill, taken along line 3-'3"in Fig. 1.

' Fig. A is a vertical, transverse, sectionalyiew of the grill, taken [on line 4-14 in 3. F'i g. '5 is .a fragmentary, longitudinal, -vertical, sectional view through the grill sho "'n g the firebox housing door in open'position with the firebox partially withdrawn therefrom.

'E ig. 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse I;se, tional view through a portionpf thespit-supporting frame showing the gear drive and support therefor, taken'along line 6'- 6 in *'-Fig'.' 1. Referring to the details of the drawingsytlie barbecue grill comprises an under supporting structu e i di a n ral b h er n numeral HE, having a paircof vertical front le gs ll and pair of vertical rear legs 12 11eld r ig'- e 'd y i s a ed rela o by a lur it o i' rizontal ,stretchers 13 wfildd' therebetween. 15A i'whe l M s, mta mwmunm on" th :'19wer end of each of the front legs H with aguard securely =Iocated over each wheel.

In 'the description of the 'barbecue grill -it will-be described as having a forward and rear ward end nda front and rear side. The grill being portable a 'n 'd usually movable in one direction, or to the right in Figs. 1 and 2;the forward end islthe -ehd' to the right i'n Figsi'l and *2.' Ifhe grill alsp ha's' an operable or front side f-rom'which the spits are removed and re; located and-the forward-side is the lower side, asvi'ewed in Fig. 1, or 'the near side' asv-ie'we'd invFigjzz .e. .7 e \e A frame i8 is supported on the supporting structure wand comprises-apair of lower longitudinalframe members 19 held in spaced relation-loy -mea'ns of ap'air of lower transverse end n1embers 2iY-welded therebetween. A pair bf upperlongitu'dinal frame-members '21 are'held in spaced parallel relationship by means of a-pair of pper 'tran:sversfe end frame --fn'einbers -22 sep- "cured 'therebetween; Vertical corner members 23 are welde' d between each of -.the

frarne upper andlower rectangular' f rames forming an integral ame structure. The frame 18 provided further with a cross'piece 324 -welded {horizontally and trau'lsv'ersely" between the-pair of lower frame meznbers' -IQ and another cross piece 25 -is secured' hor-izontally and transversel y between the up'per longitudinal frame-mems hers-1|. A wooden tabletop 28 is located ever approximately 'the' rear-half of the frame I-B-and is held in place 'by'ineansof a plurality ors ews 29' passing theretlirough and downwardly into tapped openings -'-ir i th'e' irarne members 19; 22, and-52.5,. H.

A; handle -33 is attached-to one --of the frame members?2{atthe rear end of the-barbecue gri'll whereby the grill maybe-manually moved from place toplace ent-he wheels H on which it' is movably supported. A sheet metal liner 3| is located within the' frame structure l8 and is secured therein against three' sides of the portion of the frame --'str-ucture'll 8 directly beneath {the table top 28 and a sheet- I -n'et'al bottom '-32:-is se'- cured o'n the lewef frame members 1-9 and 20 whereby a compartment 33' is- -forme d under the -table top :28 wan an open front -.for I placement and temporary storage of articles of fcod o'r condiments "therein. The forward portion at the ira-me structure --l Bfis provided withsheet metal flinei s 36- 10eated-again'st theinnersides-of the r angle members i 9 and {20 1 thereof and secured 'th'eifeto -o n the r'em'aining' three sides 1 whereby an enclosed firebox lfousing' is formed having This is accomplished by providing a vertically located block 7 43 integrally with the ends of the front side member 4| and by passing thumb screws 44 through the ends of each end member 48 and into tapped openings in the rear side member 42 and into the blocks 43. Thus a rectangular spit supporting frame 38 is formed adapted to rest on the upper side of the forward portion of the frame structure 3 and on the upper longitudinal frame members 2|, on one of the upper transverse end members 22 and the cross piece 25. The spit supporting frame 38 is held in fixed position on the frame structure I8 by providing a plurality of pegs 48 extended downwardly from adjacent each corner of the,spit supporting frame and projecting downwardly into a like plurality of similarly located openings 49 through the upper frame members of the frame structure I8. The spit supporting frame 38 may be entirely removed from the frame structure l8 by simply lifting it therefrom.

As shown in Fig. 4, the rear side member 42 of the spit support 38 comprises a pair of spaced plates 52 held in spaced relationship by means of a plurality of spacers 53 and secured together by means of a plurality of screws 54 passed through the plates and through the spacer. A plurality of horizontally aligned openings 56 are formed through each of the'spaced plates 52 and a spur gear 51 is journaled in each pair of aligned openings 56 and is rotatable within the gear housing formed by the spaced plates 52 and the spacers 53. The plurality of spur gears 51 are located whereby each meshes with an adjacent spur gear whereby they have driving and driven interconnection. Each of the spur gears 51 is provided with a square axial opening 58 therethrough which is countersunk at the end thereof facing the opposite side member 4| of the spit supporting frame whereby the pointed end of a spit, later to be described, may be easily inserted into each of the square openings 58.

An electric motor 62 is attached to the outer side of the outer plate 52 with the drive shaft 63 thereof in axial alignment with one of the spur gears 51 and with the drive shaft extending in driving connection into the square opening 58 thereof whereby the train of gears 51 has driven connection with the motor. The electric motor 62 is wound in such a way that it may be energized and driven by 6 volts of either alternating or direct current.

The electric motor 62 is energized by providing a pair of conductors 64 electrically connected thereto having a plug 61 electrically connected to the opposite end thereof. This plug 61 is adapted to be received into a socket 68 secured to one side of the frame structure I8. A pair of conductors 69 are electrically connected at one end to the socket 68 and connected to the secondary 6 volt terminals of a 110 volt transformer 12 secured to the plate 3| within the housing 33, with a rheostat or potentiometer connected in series 4 with the conductor 69. The rheostat controls the speed of rotation of the motor 62. The rheostat 13 is attached to one of the upper longitudinal frame members 2| and conveniently located within the forward opening of the compartment 33. The primary of the transformer 12 has a pair of conductors 15 electrically connected thereto havin a plug 16 electrically connected to the other end' thereof whereby it may be plugged into a 110 volt electrical outlet, as generally found in homes. Thus with the motor electrically connected, as described, and with the plu 16 plugged into a 110 volt outlet the motor is driven with 6 volts of alternating current. When it is desired to drive the electricmotor with 6 volts of direct current. as when the grill is used at a picnic or on a camping trip where battery current is available but not regular 110 volt house current, the plug 51 is withdrawn from the socket 68 and plugged into an outlet in an automobile or inserted into a socket which is electrically connected to a 6 volt storage battery.

A plurality of spits 8| are each provided with a square shank having a pointed end 82, each of which is' adapted to be received into the square opening 58 of one of the spur gears 51. Each spit is provided with a wooden handle 83 at the end opposite the pointed end with a ferrule 84 located around the inner end thereof for attachment to the spit. Each ferrule has an annular groove 81formed in circumscribing relation therein. The side 4| has a plurality of semicircular bearings 88 formed upwardly disposed therein each coaxially related and juxtapositioned a spit receptacle 58. Each of the spits is mounted for rotation by insertion of the sharpened end thereof into a receptacle and by resting the ferrule of each spit in the bearing corresponding with the receptacle with which driven connection is made. Driven connection is maintained with the respective receptacles by resting the ferrules of the spits on the bearings with the side 4| received by the grooves 81 in the ferrules. Each of the ferrules is provided with a 1 plurality of longitudinally spaced, annularly located heat dissipating discs 89 whereby heat absorbed ineach spit 8| and, transmitted to each ferrule 84 will be somewhat radiantly dissipated thereby.

It will be noted that the plurality of spits 8| are located in arcuate relation over a firebox hereinafter described, with the middle spits located higher than the terminal spits. This provides for even distribution of heat from afire in the firebox-to all of the spits.

A firebox supporting frame 98 comprises a pair of spaced parallel side angle iron members 9| extending longitudinally of the barbecue grill and a single rear angle iron member 92 welded therebetween at their rearward ends. The forward ends of the side angle members 9| are held in spacedrelationship by means of a bar 93 welded therebetween below said members. The rear angle iron member 92 and the side angle iron members 9| have relatively inwardly extending flanges and upwardly extending channels forming a firebox receiving channel open at the forward end of the barbecue grill. Thus the firebox 98 is in the form of a shelf open at its forward end to slideably receive a firebox 95 from the forward end thereof. The firebox 95 is made of sheet metal bent and welded into the form of a shallow, rectangular tray. An opening 96 is formed through the forward end of the fire box 95 adjacent the bottom thereof whereby air may pass e tates therthrough for the combustion of ignitam'eebjn tents positioned in the firebox and whereby the ashes maybe easily removed therefrom. A grate 98, 'r'n'a'de from a substantially square piece of expanded sheet metal, similar to metal lath, is supported in horizontal spaced relationship above the bottom of the firebox by means of a plurality or angle members 59 secured to the firebox. The state is adapted to support i'gnitable material such as wood, charcoal, 'pressed c'oal blocks 01'' the like to furnish the heating medium forthe roast= mg, barbecuing or cooking of meat or the like supported on the plurality of spits 8 I. a

Means are provided for controllably raising and lowering the firebox toward or away from the plurality of spits and the food supported thereon whereby the temperature of the heat applied to the material being cooked may be regulated. This control means comprises two pair of horizontally extending and relatively verticany located shafts I03 which are rotatably mounted near their ends in bearings H35 welded or otherwise secured against the inner faces of the sheet metal liners 36 of the firebox housing. A sprocket I06 is secured to each shaft near the outer end thereof and within the firebox housing with an endless chain IE1? extending around and between each rearward pair of vertically located sprockets I06 and another endless chain I638 extending around and between each forward pair of verticallylogated sprockets m6. The firebox supporting fraine 95 is supported for vertical movement on each chain It? and I08, by providing a pair of supporting bars I I5 which are welded to the underside of the rearward end of the firebox 'supporting frame 96 and which'have a reduced portion which extends into the forwardrun of each rearward chain Ill-l. Another pair of supporting bars 'I I I are each attached to the forwardend of the firebox supporting frameeo and extend substantially horizontally therefrom having a reduced portion which extends into the forward run of each of the forward chains I68. Thus by simultaneous rotation of each of the shafts I03,

the forward runs of each of the chains I61 and a shaft H5 which is rotatably mounted in aplurality of bearing plates ll 8 secured to'and extending from one of the upper longitudinal frame member 2i. A crank I29 is secured to the rearward end of the shaft IIB whereby the "worms,

'worm wheels, sprocketsand chains may heffnanu- 1' ally' operated simultaneously for the regulated vertical movement of the firebox supporting frame and the firebox supported thereon. A pair of vertically located stops I2l are secured to the upper side of the cross member 24 and extended upwardly therefrom limiting downward motion or the firebox supporting frame 98, by'en'gag'e inent therewith on downward motion, whereby the firebox supporting frame is properly verti- 'cally located for the insertion and removal 'of the'firebox therein through adoor opening hereina'fter described. x H

It'will be noted that by supporting the "firebox fo'ntheforward runs-of each of the simultaneously 'bp'fable chains 19'] and 158 1 311517 the iir'ebok is 1 door 6 vertical-1y inoveabl'e toward and away from the spits therea'bove with a rectilinear motion whereby the firebox is maintained in proper horizontal position without tilting.

The firebox housing is enclosed on three sides by the 'sheet metal liner 3| and the sheet metal liners 38 providing an open forward end consti'tuting a door opening I2 5 through which the firebox is passed for placement on the firebox supporting frame or for removal therefrom. This door opening I2 3 is adapted to be closed by means of a sheet metal door I25 which is securely attached to a horizontally located pivot 'pin I26 which is pivotally mounted at its ends in bearing's I2? secured to the forward side of the Ver tical end frame members 23. A pair of vertically located forwardly extending wings I23are secured in spaced relationship to the forward side of the door I25, the lower edge of which is adapted to contact the forward end frame member 2% to limit the outward pivotal motion thereof and to permit the door to move outwardly only to a substan'- tially horizontal position. An arm I3il is securely attached to the forward face and centrally of the I25 and extends forwardly and normal thereto. A lever I 3I is freely rotatable on lower forward shaft I53 with a link l32 pivotal-1y cohnected at I33 to the free end thereof, the other end of the link being pivotally connected at IN to the outer free end of the arm I36. Thus the door I25 is moveable to open and to closed position ,by rotative motion of the lever I3 I.

The door E25 'is adapted to be closed whenever thefirebox supporting frame so and the firebox 95 supported thereon are moved to an upper po= sition whereby the firebox housing is "enclosed on all four sides while meat or the like is being barbecued or roasted on the plurality of spits thereabove. The door is also adapted 'to be opened automatically when the firebox supporting frame 35 and the firebox 95 supported thereon are at or approximately at their lowermost position whereby the firebox may be slidably removed forwardly from the firebox supporting frame through the door opening I24 for the emptying of the ashes or coals therefrom and for the reinsertion of the firebox onto the firebox supporting frame. This automatic opening of the door I25 is accomplished by providing a col- 4 lar I31, having an annular ring i313 at one end thereof located around and secured to the forward lower shaft around which the lever I3'I "is located. A spacer I48 is located on the shaft between the collar Ifi i and the lever I35 where'- by they are held in spaced relationship and another collar Mi is secured to the same shaft adjacent the other side of the lever I3I whereby the lever is located longitudinally of the shaft. A helical torsion spring M2 is located around the spacer I49 with one end I l extending axially into anopening in the annular ring I33 of the collar I31 and the other end Hi5 of the spring extending through an opening through the lever "Whenever the firebox supporting frame 90 isin an upper position above its downwardmost .position or approximately thereto, the torsion spring I42 is wound sufficiently yieldably to hold the door I25 in closed position in the door opening 124. As the firebox supporting frame is moved -dovvn'wa'rdly on rotation of each of the shafts I03 'in=a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the

torsion spring unwinds, progressively. relieving its torsional effect in yieldably holding the door in closed position, until as the firebox supporting.

frame 98 approaches its lowermost position, the

With the barbecue grill constructed as shown and described, the grill is supported on rotatable wheels at one end thereof and with a handle at the opposite end for convenience in moving the grill. By the use of the handle the barbecue grill may be trundled about as convenience dictates.

With the firebox located on the firebox supporting frame 90, a suitable fire is kindled within the firebox. Each spit is easily removed for placing the meat thereon by simply lifting the handle end of the spit first and subsequently moving the spit endwardly from engagement with its respective recess 88 in the spit supporting frame member 4I. Meat or the like is thereafter impaled on the spit and the spit is replaced in rotative position on the spit supporting frame. Cuts of meat, roasts, fowl, or other meat and/or vegetables or alternate layers of each are pierced by one or more of the spits BI and supported thereby for rotative motion over the fire.

The spits 8I are positioned for operation by inserting the sharpened ends 82 thereof into their respective openings 58 and subsequently lowering the handle ends 83 thereof to bring the annular grooves 81 into engagement with the semi-circular bearings 88 formed in the side 4|. The enlarged portions of the ferrules at opposite sides of the grooves 81 maintain the spits in engagement with side 4| for operation.

The motor I2 is energized in either of the manners previously described and the chain of spur gears 51 are set in motion. It will be apparent that as the gears are rotated, the spits having engagement with the openings 58 are responsively rotated. It will further be apparent that the removal of one or the other of the spits in no way affects the continued rotation of the spits remaining in engagement with their respective openings.

By rotation of the crank I28 the firebox may be selectively raised and lowered to regulate the heat applied to the cuts of meat or the like. As the combustible material is burned air is drawn into the firebox 95 through the opening 96 in the forward end thereof whereby the combustible material obtains sufficient oxygen for combustion. As the combustible material is burned the ashes therefrom sift through the grate and accumulate on the bottom of the firebox.

When it is desired to add more combustible material, or when it is desired to empty the accumulation of ashes from the firebox, the handle I20 is rotated moving the firebox supporting frame 90 to its lowermost position. As the firebox supporting frame approaches its lowermost supporting position, the helical torsion spring I42 becomes unwound sufiicientlyto open the door I25 from the door opening I24. When the firebox supporting frame 90 reaches its lowermost position against the upper end ofthe top members I2I, the firebox may be slideably moved forwardly therefrom through the door opening for convenience in refueling and/or emptying. Upon return of the firebox to original position, the crank I20 is operated to move the firebox to a raised position in closer proximity to the spits and in so doing the torsion spring I42 is wound tighter until the force thereof rotates the door I25 to closed position over the door opening I24. The firebox housing is then substantially closed at its four opposite vertical sides.

The spit supporting frame 38 is removeable from the barbecue grill frame structure I8 simply by lifting the spit supporting frame vertically therefrom, removing the pegs 48 from their respective openings 49 in the top side of the frame structure I8. The spit supporting frame 38 may be disassembled to a knocked down condition by removing the thumb screw 44 from their respective tapped openings whereby the frame members may be nested together in a compact relation for convenient transportation.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a barbecue grill has been devised which is portable whereby it may be moved to any desired location and which has an increased capacity over the conventional type of barbecue grill and in which the fire box thereof is adjustable toward or away from the rotatable spits whereby regulated and even roasting or barbecuing is obtained. It will also be seen that a barbecue grill has been devised in which the door to the firebox thereof is moved automatically to open or closed position by the positioning of the firebox, with the door opening when the firebox is moved to its lower position for the convenient removal and replacement of the firebox for ash emptying and fuel replenishing purposes. The invention also provides for a plurality of spits that are rotatably driven by an electric motor whereby convenient even roasting and barbecuing is obtained and in which each spit is easily removeable during the operation without affecting operation of the other spits. The invention provides also for means whereby the spit supporting frame and the drive mechanism for the rotatable spits is removeable from the supporting structure of the barbecue grill whereby the spits and supports therefor may be conveniently used at picnics or on camping trips. The spit supporting frame is designed to be disassembled whereby it may be stored or conveyed compactly.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and structures.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a firebox housing having a door opening in an end thereof, a vertically moveable firebox within the housing, means for moving the firebox vertically including a rotatable shaft, a door pivotally mounted in the housing adapted to close the door opening in one of its positions, a lever pivotally connected to the door and rotatably supported on the shaft, a helical torsion spring located around the shaft under initial tension having one end anchored to the shaft and the other end of which is connected to the lever, the spring being adapted to receive increased tension as the firebox is raised moving the door to closed position in the door opening and adapted to receive decreased tension as the firebox is lowered moving the door to open position.

2. A barbecue grill comprising a firebox housing having a door opening therein, a door pivotally mounted on the firebox housing moveable to open position and to closed position over the door opening, a firebox supporting frame mounted in the housing for elevational movement, a firebox slidably supported on the firebox supporting frame and removable therefrom through the door opening when the door is open, means for raising and lowering the firebox supporting frame including a rotatable shaft, a lever journaled on the shaft and pivotally connected at its outer end to the door, and a helical torsion spring located around the shaft with one end connected to the shaft and the other end connected to the lever to tighten as the shaft is rotated to raise the supporting frame and to loosen as the shaft is rotated to lower the sup- 0 porting frame whereby the door is closed when the supporting frame is elevated and opened when the frame is lowered.

HAIG A. HAGOPIAN.

10 i REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 237,107 Gillett Feb. 1, 1881 839,236 Vartanian Dec. 25, 1906 1,702,900 Humphrey Feb. 19, 1929 2,114,697 Babin Apr. 19, 1938 2,213,483 Benson Sept. 3, 1940 2,334,847 Spiers Nov. 23, 1943 2,425,036 Howe Aug. 5, 1947 2,473,569 Cast June 21, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 41,095 Switzerland Aug. 14, 1907 370,105 Germany Feb. 27. 1923 

